** I do not own Ranma 1/2. That masterpiece is the property of Rumiko Takahashi.**
Akane woke up the next morning with an indescribable sense of peace. She stretched her tired muscles and looked out the window at the rising sun, a small smile forming on her lips. She pulled the covers off of herself and made her way to the furo to take her morning bath. Today, she felt renewed. She didn't have to worry about how her fiance was acting. She felt confident and worthy of love. Today is the start of a better, less stressful life. Today, I feel free.
Ranma woke up with a feeling of uncertainty and guilt. He sighed heavily as he saw the sun rise. His new medication was definitely making him tired and getting out of bed really didn't sound like something he wanted to do. He laid in bed a little longer than he should have, knowing he'd have to take his mandatory breakfast with him on his way to school. He was not looking forward to the school finding out about Akane's decision and trying to date her again. He rolled himself out of bed begrudgingly.
Sayuri and Yuki approached Akane at lunch and sat down.
"Hey, Akane." Sayuri smiled at her.
"Hey, we heard you and Ranma weren't engaged anymore," Yuri said, getting a dirty look from Sayuri.
Akane smiled at them. "It's complicated. He's dating someone else, but I told him to. We aren't ready to get married right now. Maybe ever. I don't really know what will happen in the future. What I do know is that I don't want the hentai horde starting up again, so if you could please keep that information to yourselves for now, I would be forever grateful," she told them.
Yuki and Sayuri nodded.
Sayuri put her hand on Akane's shoulder. "Akane, we can keep it to ourselves, but that isn't going to stop people from finding out. A lot of us have been to Circus recently and have seen him there with another woman. You are much prettier than her, though," Sayuri smiled at Akane.
Akane chuckled. "I don't know about that. I don't really want to compare myself to her. Thank you, though."
Ukyo approached the group. "Hello girls!" She smiled at them. "Akane, how are you doing today?"
"I'm feeling great, Ukyo. It's going to be a good day." Akane smiled brightly at her friend.
"We should go back to Circus as two single girls! It could be a lot of fun! We don't need to drink to have fun, we can just go dancing!" Ukyo suggested.
Akane glanced down at her food. "Uh, maybe. Not today, though. Maybe give me a little time first. I'm feeling good, but I don't want to rush myself," she told Ukyo, then took a bite out of her bento box.
Ukyo took her hand off Akane's shoulder and nodded.
"We can come along, too! I mean, when you're ready." Yuki said, excited.
Akane beamed at her friends. "Thanks girls. You're the best." They really are.
Hiroshi and Daisuke approached Ranma at his desk before class started for the afternoon. "Is it true?" Hiroshi asked.
Ranma glanced at him. "Is what true?" He asked.
"You're dating someone else and Akane is single again?" Daisuke said, a little too excited.
Ranma sighed. They hadn't discussed what to say to their peers. They haven't spoken since last night when Akane made her decision. He didn't know how she wanted him to handle these questions. He didn't even know if maybe Akane had changed her mind, although he was rather certain she had not. "Why don't you guys worry about math and nevermind the tomboy. Class is about to start." He told them.
Hiroshi and Daisuke looked at each other and smiled. "He didn't say no!" They said to each other in unison.
Ranma rolled his eyes and focused on the work in front of him. It was a rare sight to see Ranma focused on his work, but it was better than being pushed to talk about their situation, especially when he didn't really know how to explain things. His friends went to their desks, as the teacher entered the room.
After school, Akane stayed behind to help clean the classroom. It was a good distraction from all the questions she was getting today, and it was starting to get to her. She figured this would buy her some time to let most of the school population disperse and score her some extra points with her teacher.
Ranma slowly walked out of the front gates of the Furikan High.
"Ranma!" He heard Miyuki's voice calling.
"Hi, Miyuki. What are you doing here?" Ranma looked over and smiled wide at Miyuki.
Miyuki ran over to Ranma and embraced him. "I know you can't go out alone right now, so I thought I'd steal a few minutes after you were done with school," she smiled sweetly at him.
Hiroshi came up behind Ranma. "Hey Ranma. Is this your girlfriend?"
Ranma put his one hand behind his head and chuckled nervously. "Um, well, this is Miyuki." Ranma introduced.
Miyuki beamed and put her arm around Ranma's waist, resting her head on his chest. Ranma smiled down at her. He still wasn't sure about any of this, but it did feel good to have someone show him affection and not try to physically fight him all the time or force themselves on him. He put his arm around her, as if to claim her without saying the words.
Hiroshi winked at Ranma. "She's hot, you dog!" He laughed, "How do you get all these smoking hot girls after you?"
Ranma looked up at the school and saw Akane in the window cleaning something. She wasn't looking down at him, but it did make him nervous. He knew this is what she told him to do, but he was so uncertain about everything and really didn't want to rub it in her face, either. "Martial arts, Hiroshi. You should try it." Ranma winked at him, jokingly.
Miyuki took Ranma's hand in hers and led him away from the school. Ranma followed willingly, wanting to get away from Akane's view. She looked up at him while walking. "How did everything go last night?" She asked.
Ranma sighed. "Well, it definitely wasn't a fun night. My parents let me have it and then I had to have a serious talk with Akane. I really thought I was going to have a full blown panic attack, but it wasn't that bad."
Miyuki frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that. Is everything okay with Akane?" She asked.
Ranma furrowed his eyebrows a little bit. "I guess so. She thinks I should see where things go with you and doesn't want to get married any time soon."
Miyuki tried to hide a smile. "Oh. What do you want, though?" She asked.
Ranma thought for a second and stopped walking. He turned to look at Miyuki and smiled at her. "Well, I'm not entirely sure what I want right now, honestly. But, I'd like to get to know you better."
Miyuki beamed. "I'd like to get to know you better, too, handsome." She took Ranma's face with both hands, pulling his face down to hers and planted a quick hard kiss on his lips.
Ranma smiled. Despite the fact that he was still incredibly confused about how his life was working out at the moment, he knew he liked Miyuki and wanted to kiss her. Ranma paused and thought for a second before leaning down and kissing Miyuki again, deeper this time. Miyuki wrapped her arms around his neck while he grabbed her around her waist.
"Ranma, sweetums! What is the meaning of this? Who is this vile wench forcing herself on you? Don't worry, darling! I, your ravishing Kodachi, will save you from this floozie!" Kodachi called from a rooftop nearby.
Miyuki and Ranma broke their kiss and both turned to look at the source of the interruption.
"Oh, no." Ranma said, worried. "Miyuki, stay behind me at all times, got it?" Miyuki nodded and stood behind Ranma. "Kodachi, leave us alone! She's not forcing herself on me!" He yelled to Kodachi.
"Ohh hoHoHoHOho! Ranma darling, there is no reason to hide our love from this delusional woman! I, the Black Rose of St. Hebereke, challenge this nitwit for your love and devotion!" Kodachi started to twirl her ribbon above her head.
Miyuki looked up at Ranma meekly. "Who is this woman, Ranma? Why does she keep insulting me?"
"Just stay back. She's dangerous and delusional. I'll protect you." Ranma threw an arm to his side to further shield Miyuki.
"Ranma! Get her out of here! We've got Kodachi!" Akane yelled to Ranma from a distance. Akane and Ukyo ran towards them.
"Kodachi! Don't be such a bully!" Ukyo yelled.
"Not everyone is a martial artist! You can't challenge everyone!" Akane scolded Kodachi.
"Oh HoHOhoHo..!" Kodachi laughed as Akane and Ukyo stood battle ready in front of Ranma and Miyuki.
"Ranma, go! Get her out of here!" Akane shouted back toward Ranma, not taking her eyes off of Kodachi.
"Right. Thanks, Akane." Ranma looked at Akane, astonished at her selflessness and compassion.
Ranma scooped Miyuki up to carry her. He looked down at her. "Hold tight!" He told her before took off running and leaping over fences and rooftops.
Kodachi glared at the two girls in front of her. "You will let that harpy get away with putting her lips on poor, unsuspecting Ranma?!"
Akane winced. It still hurt to hear it. "It's not any of your business, Kodachi!"
Kodachi let out another laugh, "I will not stand for some hussy all over my lover!" She threw her ribbon at the two girls, who dodged in separate directions.
Ukyo and Akane looked at each other and nodded, knowingly. Akane went left, while Ukyo went right. Akane called Kodachi to get her attention, "Hey! If you're looking for a challange, Kodachi, I'm right over here!" Kodachi turned her body toward Akane and let out another horrendous sounding laugh. Kodachi raised her ribbon again, ready to attack. Just then, Uyko grabbed her battle spatula, came up behind Kodachi and hit her in the back of the head, knocking her unconscious.
Akane and Ukyo looked down at Kodachi. "That seemed too easy," Ukyo stated.
"Yeah," Akane sounded confused.
"Are you okay, Akane? That couldn't have been easy for you," Ukyo asked.
"I'll be fine, Uyko. It's not Miyuki's fault that Ranma is falling for her. It's definitely not her fault she's not a martial artist," Akane looked away, not wanting her friend to see the pain in her eyes.
"You think he's falling for her? You're right that she isn't a martial artist, which seems odd. What do they have in common then? Martial arts is Ranma's whole life." Ukyo pondered.
"I don't know. I've never seen him show any interest in any girl like this before, so maybe he is falling for her. He is definitely going out of his way to keep her around. They must have something in common, unless it's all just.." Akane trailed off.
"All what?" Ukyo asked.
".. lust? Sex?" Akane flinched.
Ukyo's eyes widened. "You think they are having sex?!"
"I have no idea, but the way they were dancing and the drinking, which granted has stopped for now, could suggest that maybe they are. It would explain a lot." Akane looked miserable.
Ukyo smiled at her friend. "Who cares what they are doing? Let's not worry about it. Want to go get some ice cream? My treat!" Ukyo invited.
Akane smiled at Ukyo and nodded. The two girls walked away leaving Kodachi on the side of the road.
Ranma ran along the street until he realized where he was going. I can't bring her to the Tendo dojo right now, Mom would lose it and Kodachi could easily find her. I need to bring her home. Ranma changed direction. He couldn't stop thinking about Akane's willingness to help protect Miyuki. He was not used to needing to protect someone who wasn't a martial artist and he definitely didn't expect Akane or Ukyo to help him.
Miyuki smiled up at Ranma. "Ranma, babe, as much as I love being in your arms, don't you think it's okay to walk now? I'd like to hear about what that girl's problem is."
Ranma smiled back. "Yeah, sorry." He put her down and started walking with her. "Sorry about Kodachi. Honestly, she's just crazy and delusional. She seems to think I'm hers when I've given her no reason to believe that."
"You're a very good looking man. I could see why you have all these girls after you," Miyuki smirked.
"There's one more we have to be careful about." Ranma looked worried.
"Uh oh. What now?" Miyuki asked.
"Her name is Shampoo. She's a Chinese Amazon woman who I defeated in battle almost two years ago. According to her laws, if an outsider defeats her in battle she is to give the Kiss of Marriage and marry that outsider. Something about strengthening bloodlines or something. Anyway, she's very strong, vicious and relentless when she's got her mind set. If you ever come across her and I'm not there to help you.. " Ranma trailed off.
Miyuki put her hand on his arm reassuringly. "I'll be careful. I've made it this far unscathed," she smiled at him.
Ranma smiled back. I was concentrating so much on keeping Akane safe, I never stopped to consider keeping Miyuki safe. Miyuki is a lot more helpless than Akane. Shampoo would kill her. Dammit. I'm such an idiot.
"Listen, Miyuki. Shampoo can be really dangerous. She is a very skilled martial artist who's grown up in a society of strong women who spend their lives training for battle. I need you to be very careful. Maybe, for now, we should be a little more secretive about things like kissing, okay? I don't want you to get hurt," Ranma looked at her with concern.
"Oh. I didn't realize it was that serious," Miyuki lowered her head.
"Hey, I'll do everything I can to keep you safe. I'm going to see if someone will bring me to see her grandmother, she's an elder in their tribe. Maybe I can convince them to back off or at least figure out how to protect you. Can you do me a favour and just stay in your house until I call and tell you it's safe?" Ranma pleaded.
"Okay. Since it seems so important to you." Miyuki smiled, "but you will owe me," she smirked again.
"Owe you?" Ranma asked quizzically.
"I'll let you know later," Miyuki winked.
After dropping Miyuki off at home and returning to the Tendo home, Ranma walked upstairs to see if Akane was back yet. He knocked lightly at her door. "Akane?" Nothing. Ranma sighed. This sucks. I need someone to come with me to the Nekohanten. Who else can I ask?
Just then, Ranma saw Nabiki walking by. "Hey, Nabiki! Can I ask you a favour?" Ranma flinched when he realized who he was talking to about a favour.
Nabiki smiled at him. "You can ask, but I come at a price."
Ranma sighed, "Yeah, well, I'm desperate. Do you think you can accompany me to the Nekohanten? I need to talk to Cologne and I still can't go out alone. I'll buy you dinner!" he pleaded.
Nabiki thought about it for a moment, then looked at Ranma, "I accept. And 3000 yen." she smiled.
Ranma let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. Let's go."
Nabiki and Ranma approached the Nekohanten. Ranma looked at Nabiki, "You get a table and order whatever you want," Ranma paused, "within reason!"
Nabiki smiled, "I am nothing but not reasonable."
"Right." Ranma scoffed.
They entered the Nekohanten.
"Nihao, Airen!" Shampoo saw him.
"Hey, Shampoo." Ranma greeted.
"Ranma no is mad at Shampoo anymore?" Shampoo looked at him expectantly, "Ranma take Shampoo on date?"
"No, Shampoo. I'm not mad at anyone. I'd still stay away from the Tendos, though. Is the old ghoul here?" Ranma asked.
"Great Grandmother is in back of restaurant. What Ranma want with Great Grandmother?" Shampoo eyed him suspiciously.
"I just need to talk to her about something, that's all." Ranma said, nervously.
Just then, Cologne used her walking stick to hop over to the teens. "What's this about, son-in-law?" Cologne asked Ranma.
"Can we, uh, talk in private a moment?" Ranma asked Cologne.
"Why Ranma no want Shampoo hear?" Shampoo eyed him harder.
"I will talk to you about it later, Shampoo, when you don't have a customer to serve," Ranma nodded over to Nabiki,
"Customer wait," Shampoo frowned.
Nabiki called over, "Hello? Does anyone work here?"
"Ugh. Fine. But Ranma talk Shampoo after." Shampoo ran over to Nabiki to take her order.
Ranma and Cologne walked into the back.
"So, what's this about, son-in-law?" Cologne asked.
"Old gh- I mean, Elder Cologne, I have a confession to make and a favour to ask." Ranma started.
Cologne looked him up and down. "Go on."
"You see.. Akane and I aren't getting marri-" Ranma was cut off.
"So, you've finally come to marry my Shampoo! It's about time. I will start the arrangements." Cologne started to bounce away.
"No!" Ranma stopped her, "That's not it. I.. how do I tell you this.. I guess I'm.. seeing someone else right now? A girl Shampoo hasn't met. She's becoming important to me- I'm not trying to marry her or anything like that, but I am very concerned that Shampoo may hurt her."
Cologne looked at him with bewilderment "As she should."
"You don't understand. She can't defend herself. She's not a martial artist. She's.. a normal girl." Ranma explained.
"What would you want with a 'normal girl'?" Cologne raised an eyebrow at him. "You could have Shampoo and you want some ordinary girl?"
"I don't know exactly what I want right now, but I do know I don't want this girl hurt. It's not her fault. She had no idea the chaos she was getting into when we started hanging out. Please, old gh- uh, Elder Cologne," Ranma pleaded.
"Well, son-in-law, it is our Amazon law to remove any obstacles. However, it is also in our Amazon laws not to harm the helpless. I will talk to Shampoo." She agreed.
"Thank you old gh-Err.. Elder Cologne," Ranma bowed.
"Stop that, son-in-law. You're not polite." Cologne raised an eyebrow at him.